Verizon Finally Blocking Unauthorized Tethering Apps
Although Verizon already put its foot down on subscribers using unauthorized tethering apps, the Big Red is now blocking hotspot apps used on jailbroken devices.
Numerous reports are indicating that Verizon began blocking unauthorized hotspot access through jailbroken smartphone apps as early as last Friday. The current limitation only seemingly affects the hotspot aspect – the ability to allow up to five additional devices to connect to Verizon's network via a smartphone -- as Verizon already made a previous sweep across Apple's App Store and Google's Android Market months ago, requesting that unauthorized (direct) tethering apps be removed.
"A ReadWriteWeb employee using a jailbroken tethered Verizon Motorola X without a data plan was sent to this page outlining Verizon's hotspot data plans today when trying to access a hotspot," reports ReadWriteWeb. "This is a new development, since the employee used her jailbroken device as a hotspot two days ago."
Typically Verizon charges a monthly fee of $20 for 2 GB of data for direct tethering (Mobile Broadband Connect) and hotspot Internet sharing (3G Mobile Hotspot) – in addition to the $29.99 or higher data plan. But users have been able to get around the hotspot "tax" by jailbreaking their device and installing unauthorized apps like MyWi for iOS/Cydia. As the ReadWriteWeb employee indicated, those using these apps will now be directed to a Verizon page outlining the company's Internet-sharing plans.
Although the move isn't all that unexpected, it's probably not as drastic as AT&T forcing subscribers into a 2 GB tethering plan if caught using an unauthorized app. According to the company, it began warning Internet leeches earlier this year, giving them three options: (1) stop tethering and keep their current plan (including grandfathered unlimited plan); (2) proactively call AT&T or visit an AT&T stores and move to the required tethering plan; or (3) do nothing and AT&T will go ahead and add the tethering plan on their behalf — after the dated noted in their customer notification.
Direct tethering apps – those which allow a laptop to use a smartphone as a 3G modem via a USB cable or Bluetooth – began disappearing back in May. On the Android front, Google said it wasn't removing the apps in the Android Market, but simply making them unavailable for specific carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile). Many of these apps are still available outside the Android Market and can be installed by allowing non-Market app installs within the OS Settings menu.
In June, consumer advocacy group Free Press argued to the FCC that, by blocking the tethering apps, wireless carriers were "restricting consumer choice" and hindering innovation "regardless of which carrier adopts such policies." Free Press accused Verizon of violating the rules that govern licenses for the C Block of the upper 700 MHz block which Verizon's LTE network currently occupies. Verizon is not allowed to “deny, limit, or restrict” the ability of their customers to use the applications or devices of the customers’ choosing, according to the rules.
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I can understand this more when they had unlimited data plans. But not that they have data caps, why do they care how I use up my allotment?
If I want to blow my 2Gb of data via a tethering, why is that different then doing so on my smartphones netflix app?
I can understand this more when they had unlimited data plans. But not that they have data caps, why do they care how I use up my allotment?If I want to blow my 2Gb of data via a tethering, why is that different then doing so on my smartphones netflix app?
Perhaps they have/plan to have a separate plan for data tethering.. like.. AT&T. Both companies up to no good anyway, give us our freedom back >:
Because you sould use it how THEY want you to use it, now how you want to.
/end sarcasam
Damn, looks like I'm going to have to get rid of my smartphone.
Stupid broken "h" key... hey its works now... stupid broken person, I think its time for a rum and coke....
I am surprised that the FCC isn't involved with this
They still have grandfathered in unlimited plans.
I just checked with my HTC Thunderbolt, and I'm still getting Wifi hotspot tethering via a rooted phone. Was this only a change for the iPhone?
It should be illegal for carriers to charge extra for tethering. Especially since virtually all data plans are limited. If I pay for that amount of data it is my right to use it however I want.
It would be the equivalent of me purchasing an internet connection for my house, but requiring me to pay an extra $20 per month to use a router to connect multiple computers.
1. You can't "Jailbreak" an Android phone. You root it.
2. I run a rooted/rommed/overclocked Droid X with extended battery, grandfathered unlimited, and Liberty v8 without speedcap, and I've never ran into this.
3. I hate how I'm addicted to my smartphone. ^_^
This makes me glad to live in Korea. SK Telecom allows me to tether my Galaxy S with no additional charges.
Verizon and AT&T can go to hell.
Glad to be with Sprint 4G, even though slower than LTE, no data caps and Sprint doesn't care for tethering. The store even told me to root and tether because its cheaper. Eventually used a rom (Cyanogenmod 7) and don't need any extra apps, straight from phone. AT&T just wants an excuse to buy out T-Mobile, and Verizon thinks they have the market cornered because of the Droid Line and the iPhone. If Sprint gets an iPhone, Verizon and AT&T will say goodbye to many many customers.
+1 Sprint. I use tethering every day for my home internet connection and it is blazing fast when hooked up to wifi and still functions when running off 3g or 4g. They have been a good carrier for me since I've switched from Verizon.
All you people gloating over Sprint are in for a RUDE awakening when Sprint gets the iPhone..lol Kiss your Unlimited plans good-bye.
It should be illegal for carriers to charge extra for tethering. Especially since virtually all data plans are limited. If I pay for that amount of data it is my right to use it however I want.It would be the equivalent of me purchasing an internet connection for my house, but requiring me to pay an extra $20 per month to use a router to connect multiple computers.
Believe it or not around where I live they used to disallow both wired and wireless routers on the local cable internet service. This was over 10 years ago though, but that still doesn't make it right.
Another pathetic example of US stupidity... in normal countries, no phone is tied to any particular network, and you get the SIM and the phone separately. YOU decide which network your phone "gets", and if you don't like your carrier, you don't have to jailbreak or root your phone: you just dump the SIM and get another one.
I'm a VZW customer and I can verify that their blocking (at least at this point) does not affect ROM's that have built-in tethering (rather than using a separate app). I'm using MIUI 1.8.5 and it works just fine.
So you purchase a dataplan and you wont be allowed to use that data as you see fit, amazing.
Its like saying "Sorry your purchased fuel for your car but your not allowed to drive passengers in it while driving on our fuel you paid for!" and the company then turns of the car maker banning them from adding additional seats in cars - WTF!
Another pathetic example of US stupidity... in normal countries, no phone is tied to any particular network, and you get the SIM and the phone separately. YOU decide which network your phone "gets", and if you don't like your carrier, you don't have to jailbreak or root your phone: you just dump the SIM and get another one.
It's not that easy when you're A) tied to a 2-year contract and can't afford the $600 unsubsidized smartphone, and B) on a CDMA network.
I love how a 4G/LTE Verizon ad popped up over the article as I was reading it. Nice.
Another pathetic example of US stupidity... in normal countries, no phone is tied to any particular network, and you get the SIM and the phone separately. YOU decide which network your phone "gets", and if you don't like your carrier, you don't have to jailbreak or root your phone: you just dump the SIM and get another one.
At least we don't have peasant uprisings...
You do realize why this happened to AT&T and why it's now happening to Verizon, and why it will happen to the other carriers eventually, iPhone or not. With so many new smart phones, most immediately was the iPhone for Verizon, their network isn't large enough to handle all the data traffic. To curb that use, they are trying to limit the ability to tether.
If AT&T's move upsets enough people, they'll go to Sprint, and then Sprint will deal with the same problem and add limits as well.
Sprint should see this as an opportunity to upgrade their network before the rush.
You do realize why this happened to AT&T and why it's now happening to Verizon, and why it will happen to the other carriers eventually, iPhone or not. With so many new smart phones, most immediately was the iPhone for Verizon, their network isn't large enough to handle all the data traffic. To curb that use, they are trying to limit the ability to tether.If AT&T's move upsets enough people, they'll go to Sprint, and then Sprint will deal with the same problem and add limits as well.
This artificial "lack of bandwidth" is a project of their (greedy) imagination. Especially when two wireless carriers are some of the major ISP and have their own fiber transmission networks.
This all goes in addition to what other people said... if its already limited by cap then why double dip? = greed.
does not apply to custom roms.
everyone can rage on about how wonderful Verizon and AT&T are and then how horrible, how could they do this to us, but they have this and that etc.. I will sit here with my truely unlimited data, on the very fast sprint network, on a rooted phone and using the sprints own wifi tethering app for free tethering on my Evo3d. Sure i could use WiFi tether apps... enjoy your phone company holding your hands!
its because of this that i have my wife on sprint, talked many friends and family members to sprint etc. Keep this up sprint...
Why bother even HAVING an FCC?
All they do is act to negate the 1st amendment by censoring and unethically control who gets what RF spectrum... A spectrum they never should have had the authority to manage in the 1st place.
5 years ago, who could have imagined that Sprint, of all companies, would be our 1 great hope for salvation, in terms of competition and the free use of data...
The same Sprint that gobbled up Nextel and spit out all their loyal customers.
My my, how things have changed...
Another pathetic example of US stupidity... in normal countries, no phone is tied to any particular network, and you get the SIM and the phone separately. YOU decide which network your phone "gets", and if you don't like your carrier, you don't have to jailbreak or root your phone: you just dump the SIM and get another one.
Ummmm that's not something specific to normal countries. It's called buying unlocked phone without plan and separately buying plan/SIM card. It's possible in US too. Also in whole Europe if you buy phone through your carrier it is locked to his SIMs only.
this is stupid...
users should be allowed to consume their capped wireless data plan on their phone, regardless on any devices connected to it.
greedy bastards.
Think the idea is that with a laptop connect and multi-connects you gain more use of the service you are using, you go htrugh your plans more probably and use whats not being paid for.
As for the other carriers who knows.
But the laptop idea is nice if able to use otherwise you are probably going to be using more the interent then even on a smartphone. Some smartphones are nice of course don't get me wrong, but still even then on some ideas is well, within the use.
Offline would probably gain the benefit though.